off the Hook

I frequently wonder why as much as 47% of global businesses (according to one source) continue to run a less secure, less scalable, less stable, less adaptable, and flat-out inferior email solution (i.e., Microsoft Exchange) and seem so content to do so despite basic human reasoning compared to the 43% or so that run Lotus Notes / Domino. Over the years I have developed a number of theories.


Yesterday, I was directed to an interesting press release stating that the Sierra Nevada Corporation (who runs Notes as their email and collaboration solution by the way) has announced that it is ready to begin production of a "ray gun" that is targeted at crowd control, but could theoretically be used to place thoughts in people's heads and may simultaneously cause brain damage. Thankfully, SNC has not tested the technology on their own decision makers. The technology itself has existed for a number of years, but only recently been practically considered for mobile weaponized use.


Connect the dots however you may, but my theory is that improper use of such a technology could potentially cause irrational decisions, such as paying over $300 per user to acquire an office productivity suite and then at least $100 per user per year to protect the ability to upgrade that suite (even though it historically has at least a 4-year release cycle), when there is a perfectly reasonable and free alternative that could work just as well for 80% of the user-base.


All I can say for sure is that the annual Annual Microsoft CEO Summit is much better than “Cats.” I’m going to attend again and again.